From apprenticeship to the World to Immortality Amongst Intrigue, Manners & Adventure

The Start of New Adventure: Escorting Pilgrims

About a month for Ramtar training to level 3. Father Humboldt had to break a few of Ramtar’s bad habits before improving Ramtar’s skills.

While waiting for Ramtar to finish his training, Enoch and Edris shopped for gear. They also visited Archmage Ian MacKellan and a local temple to try finding a way to substantiate identity of skull as baby kidnapped by goblins in marshes on the northern border of Korand. After some discussion, however, party decided venture back to Hamlet Burtonham too impractical to go through with.

The items acquired from the biggest goblin in the northern marshes identified as follows:

Magic Leather Armor +1

Spear of Pinning +1

24th Day of the 7th Month in the 967th Year by Korandish Reckoning

Ramtar finished his training the day before. Party, consisting of Ramtar, Enoch and Edris gathered in attendance of Earl Haydn’s secretary in Grassin. He offered them choice of two missions:

Retrieve two captured bandits in Sern less than day’s journey to the northeast. Return them to their home domicile Pendelborough in the Principality of Nickton, per note found on ruffian leading gang that ambushed Haydn’s Defenders previously

Escort a group of pilgrims mentored and gathered together by Father Humboldt to Monastery Doran

Party decided to escort the pilgrims.

They met up with Father Humboldt to find out and discuss details. Pilgrims will number twenty. This number included the ruffian that had harassed Haydn’s Defenders multiple times with a few mobs a couple months ago. The journey from Grassin to Monastery Doran would take about four days (more time than adventurers because not as fit and accustomed to constant strenuous activity).

Party excused themselves to discuss strategy for the trip. Issues they saw at hand:

The ruffian, himself, getting away and causing further trouble

The morale of the pilgrims, especially how the ruffian would influence them

They decided upon two things:

Ruffian will be put into manacles some part of pilgrimage (especially at night). Amount of time in and out of manacles during day dependent upon good behavior

Next morning at pick up time before disembarking, they would stage a mock arm wrestling competition between Ramtar and Father Humboldt. Father Humboldt would let Ramtar win. Goal was to win respect of pilgrims and put fear into the ruffian

Party got Father Humboldt to come outside and discuss the arm wrestling plan. He agreed to it.

25th Day of the 7th Month in the 967th Year by Korandish Reckoning

Party arrived at Father Humboldt’s to find the crowd of pilgrims gathered around the front of his hut. The ruffian sat sullen, alone near the hut entrance.

Father Humboldt made his greetings with party then called for attention of pilgrims. They talked a little longer then quieted down, focusing on the party and Father Humboldt. He announced the arm wrestling competition as a way to celebrate their new beginnings and to show appreciation for their efforts in becoming better people.

The arm wrestling went back and forth, both Ramtar and the Father came mere inches away from the table surface many times. Sweat dripped off both their brows. Ramtar could tell that Father Humboldt held himself back, putting his most exertion into sudden saves from losing and making it look as if Ramtar had a sudden burst of strength and exertion.

Father Humboldt bellowed, “Lord Bahamut, I am an old man who can not do this alone. My student has youth and vigor that will overpower me. I am truly proud of the work I have put into his accomplishments as he humbles me. But we do not deserve such glory. Glory belongs with you, My Lord. Please act through me, your fragile vessel, to show these pilgrims your glory and win their faith in you, your protection and the moral values you instill us with. SHOW US YOURGLORY!”

Throwing more strength than Ramtar believed the Father had in him, Father Humboldt thrust Ramtar’s arm up then slammed it down onto the table. The Father whispered once again, “I’m sorry, my son.”

Father Humboldt got up from the table and raised his arms. “For the glory of Bahamut! For the glory of Bahamut!”

The pilgrims cheered back, “BAHAMUT! BAHAMUT! BAHAMUT!”

Ramtar massaged his arm but grinned. The Father went against his word, but the message and effect of this display would have more power. This pilgrimage would have the blessing of the Lord Bahamut, both in spirit and in the spirits of the pilgrims.

While the pilgrims mingled among each other and with Father Humboldt, the party approached the ruffian. They tried to get him to promise good behavior, but the ruffian acted like a petulant teenager, which is what he looked like. Only after threatening to put him into manacles and stowed in a wagon did the party receive assurances of good behavior. The party didn’t feel convincing, however.

Enoch realized that twenty pilgrims might prove unwieldy for the party to manage alone, especially with the ruffian that might cause trouble. Enoch found an able and trustworthy looking young man named John Smith and assigned him as deputy of Haydn’s Defenders until they reached Monastery Doran. John Smith grabbed a hold of the responsibility. His main duty would be to watch over the ruffian and report mysterious behavior to any of the party members.

The enthusiasm had become directed toward the journey and the hope that Monastery Doran brought. Pilgrims started getting restless, even though they would all miss Father Humboldt. They all lined up and said goodbye to the Father one by one or group by group. He gave them each a blessing, even the ruffian.

Father Humboldt saved the last blessing for Ramtar and Haydn’s Defenders, “May Lord Bahamut be with you and do not lose faith. Keep the faith, and you will make success.”

The Father bowed his head then retreated back into his hut. The party and pilgrims made their way to the northwest gate.